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The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead, Vol. 4: The Heart's Desire
Life in the prison starts to get interesting for Rick Grimes and the rest of our survivors. Relationships heat up, fizzle out, and change entirely almost overnight. By the end of this volume, relationships between key characters are radically changed, setting the stage for future events in The Walking Dead.
136 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2005
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,622 books6,546 followersRobert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,306 reviews
January 20, 2023
Enter Michonne!!!! A classic volume seeing the first appearances of Michonne. Let the chaos continue. Dexter pulls off a coup, only to realise that he's unleashed Zombies on them all. Can the sides unite to fight the common enemy?
As more and more dark, and ultimately final decisions are made... can the group hang on to their humanity. More great plotting and art as the the creative team push how the dehumanising world will impact on those who really want to survive. Still with the great monochrome art and countless sub-stories this volume is even better than all the first three - 9.5 out of 12, almost Five stars!
2019 read; 2017 read; 2013 read; 2011 read
As more and more dark, and ultimately final decisions are made... can the group hang on to their humanity. More great plotting and art as the the creative team push how the dehumanising world will impact on those who really want to survive. Still with the great monochrome art and countless sub-stories this volume is even better than all the first three - 9.5 out of 12, almost Five stars!
2019 read; 2017 read; 2013 read; 2011 read
September 28, 2011
This comic reads like it's been written by a 15 year old boy with a constant erection.
The Walking Dead is a great premise poorly executed. The characters are insipid, with no defining qualities to empathise with. The plot rapidly and repeatedly flits between killing and sex, with little meaning or worthwhile emotion given to either. This volume is particularly bad, portraying every character as sex-crazed. Almost every adult character has had sex, often with different partners, as if in a world of only 20 people everyone would just naturally and happily pair off. Carol has now had sex with Tyrese, kissed Lori and kissed Rick. It has the plot of a Jilly Cooper novel, with everyone wildly having sex with everyone at the drop of a hat, and talking in the most clichéd way possible about their sexual desire and exploits.
I don't deny the importance of characters having sex, and appreciate it's an animal instinct that could offer some rare enjoyment in an apocalyptic world, but the frequency and tactlessness is ridiculous. Their friends are dying all around them, and yet they still have wild sexual urges. I'm pretty sure that's not how grief works. The female characters are so paper-thin and sex hungry that it feels like the writers have never actually met a woman in real life.
When they do attempt philosophy or feelings, it's written in the most formulaic clichéd way, it makes my skin crawl.
The action moves so quickly from one death to the next, that often characters aren't even around long enough to learn their name, let alone get remotely invested in them, and therefore as a reader you simply don't care when they die.
The Walking Dead is a great premise poorly executed. The characters are insipid, with no defining qualities to empathise with. The plot rapidly and repeatedly flits between killing and sex, with little meaning or worthwhile emotion given to either. This volume is particularly bad, portraying every character as sex-crazed. Almost every adult character has had sex, often with different partners, as if in a world of only 20 people everyone would just naturally and happily pair off. Carol has now had sex with Tyrese, kissed Lori and kissed Rick. It has the plot of a Jilly Cooper novel, with everyone wildly having sex with everyone at the drop of a hat, and talking in the most clichéd way possible about their sexual desire and exploits.
I don't deny the importance of characters having sex, and appreciate it's an animal instinct that could offer some rare enjoyment in an apocalyptic world, but the frequency and tactlessness is ridiculous. Their friends are dying all around them, and yet they still have wild sexual urges. I'm pretty sure that's not how grief works. The female characters are so paper-thin and sex hungry that it feels like the writers have never actually met a woman in real life.
When they do attempt philosophy or feelings, it's written in the most formulaic clichéd way, it makes my skin crawl.
The action moves so quickly from one death to the next, that often characters aren't even around long enough to learn their name, let alone get remotely invested in them, and therefore as a reader you simply don't care when they die.
August 22, 2012
Before I address anything else about this series, I have say, Robert Kirkman? You have some issues when it comes to women. Thusly, you can't write women accurately. At all. The female characters in this series are either bitches, sluts or nagging harpies (or some combo of the three) who just wanna wash clothes, sew, have babies, fuck men, and maybe, in a completely out of character move, kiss another woman. Also, the children in this book are like Disney show characters, ridiculously blinking up through all the carnage with Kewpie doll eyes. So cliche and so unrealistic. Also, the dialogue is terrible. Cliches, out of character moments, stereotypes, non-sequiturs, every writing rule is broken, and not in a good way.
This all being said, this is an amazing GN series. The base story is fantastic. The realistic reactions of people under unbelievable amounts of stress make the tension palatable. Happily, the TV series adaption has fixed a lot of my aforementioned issues with character and dialogue to take this story to the level is deserves to be at.
This all being said, this is an amazing GN series. The base story is fantastic. The realistic reactions of people under unbelievable amounts of stress make the tension palatable. Happily, the TV series adaption has fixed a lot of my aforementioned issues with character and dialogue to take this story to the level is deserves to be at.
March 1, 2017
A cage is a cage not matter what.
This is the fourth volume of the softcover editions of "The Walking Dead", collecting the comic book issues from #19 to #24.
Creative Team:
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Illustrators: Charlie Adlard
Additional gray tones to inking: Cliff Rathburn
Chapter Four
THE HEART’S DESIRE
Cry me a river.
Enter: Michonne,...
...mysterious Afro-American woman with a samurai sword. ‘Nuff said!
Rick’s group has troubles in all fronts.
Menaces outside and inside of the prison.
Rick finally realizes that any sentimental sense of righteousness...
...is long gone in this insane world.
Now he is taking the hard choices if he really wants the survival of his group.
Some decisions will pay out.
Some don’t.
But nevertheless,...
...Rick needs to call them.
Since he is the only one with enough guts to take them and face the consequences.
This is the fourth volume of the softcover editions of "The Walking Dead", collecting the comic book issues from #19 to #24.
Creative Team:
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Illustrators: Charlie Adlard
Additional gray tones to inking: Cliff Rathburn
Chapter Four
THE HEART’S DESIRE
Cry me a river.
Enter: Michonne,...
...mysterious Afro-American woman with a samurai sword. ‘Nuff said!
Rick’s group has troubles in all fronts.
Menaces outside and inside of the prison.
Rick finally realizes that any sentimental sense of righteousness...
...is long gone in this insane world.
Now he is taking the hard choices if he really wants the survival of his group.
Some decisions will pay out.
Some don’t.
But nevertheless,...
...Rick needs to call them.
Since he is the only one with enough guts to take them and face the consequences.
July 29, 2016
Yeah.... this was not my favorite edition. I am very thankful that there are co-writers on the show because the women in this ARE AWFUL. And the men form their own committee and the women are not included? WTF?
April 8, 2016
Some people aren’t meant for this new world; they’re too weak, too stupid and too useless. They’re walking spoilers because it’s so obvious that they will be the next to die. But, for every idiot that dies, everyone else get tougher. They learn from the fatalistic mistakes of the fallen: they learn never to fall into the same trap. Rick’s already a hard bastard, and this is only the fourth chapter, I’m looking forward to seeing how ruthless he is bound to become.
I’m enjoying reading this through, but the television show does do a couple of things better. Take Carol, for example, in this she is unhinged and ridiculously vulnerable. She doesn’t give a shit about her kid, and all she wants is a man to keep her safe. On the other hand, Carol on screen is a badass; she is essentially a female Rick. She started off weak, but she grew like no other character has in the show. She broke out of her shell and became a survivor.
This is one change I really do applaud. I’m not missing Daryl either. Tyrese works just as well in the roll of Rick’s wingman. Both mediums have their positive and negative aspects; it’s quite fun to compare the two. At this point, I can appreciate both.
The story really picked up in this one, the group is finally starting to get it. It’s taken them a while but they are getting there slowly. I’m also starting to like Dale. He knows how to deal with the half crazed Rick; he knows how to keep the group together. Rather than just discuss things, like his television counterpart wanted to do, this Dale just gets on with it. His romance with Andrea is also surprisingly well handled. Everyone is seeking comfort; emotions are quick to change and are bursting onto the surface. Unfortunately, this is especially true with the annoying Carol. I think she needs a good slap, the television Carol could teach her a thing or two!
I hope she dies soon because she is becoming really annoying. I want to see tough T.V Carol!
I’m enjoying reading this through, but the television show does do a couple of things better. Take Carol, for example, in this she is unhinged and ridiculously vulnerable. She doesn’t give a shit about her kid, and all she wants is a man to keep her safe. On the other hand, Carol on screen is a badass; she is essentially a female Rick. She started off weak, but she grew like no other character has in the show. She broke out of her shell and became a survivor.
This is one change I really do applaud. I’m not missing Daryl either. Tyrese works just as well in the roll of Rick’s wingman. Both mediums have their positive and negative aspects; it’s quite fun to compare the two. At this point, I can appreciate both.
The story really picked up in this one, the group is finally starting to get it. It’s taken them a while but they are getting there slowly. I’m also starting to like Dale. He knows how to deal with the half crazed Rick; he knows how to keep the group together. Rather than just discuss things, like his television counterpart wanted to do, this Dale just gets on with it. His romance with Andrea is also surprisingly well handled. Everyone is seeking comfort; emotions are quick to change and are bursting onto the surface. Unfortunately, this is especially true with the annoying Carol. I think she needs a good slap, the television Carol could teach her a thing or two!
I hope she dies soon because she is becoming really annoying. I want to see tough T.V Carol!
January 9, 2023
HOW CAN SOMEONE WRITE GIRLS SO HORRIBLY?
I am not sure what happened in this volume. Like. Girls turned against girls. Girls just want to get it on and nothing else. Girls just want to please the men. Men fight each other over girls.
Where is the actual story?
Where are the empowering women at?
I feel like this was a filler for the series. I needed more story, and less drama and poorly written women.
At least it was still a masterpiece in the illustrated department. The art is glorious.
I am not sure what happened in this volume. Like. Girls turned against girls. Girls just want to get it on and nothing else. Girls just want to please the men. Men fight each other over girls.
Where is the actual story?
Where are the empowering women at?
I feel like this was a filler for the series. I needed more story, and less drama and poorly written women.
At least it was still a masterpiece in the illustrated department. The art is glorious.
March 5, 2016
There are a LOT of gifs ahead.
Oh my.
Oh my.
Oh. my.
You said it, Glenn. It really, really is.
Guys...I can't do this without spoilers so you've been warned.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Where the hell do I even begin?? And why has it taken me four volumes to realize how freaking fucking sexist this series is? Ok, ok. There have been hints of it in every issue, but nowhere near as blatantly stupid as this.
Have any of these writers ever met a woman before? Because, I really, really wonder.
Let's just go ahead and discuss these female characters, shall we?
MICHONNE
Ok first off, I was super stoked to get to this issue because this girl finally shows up...
Michonne!!! (And no, she doesn't really have a light saber, but she may as well because she's the closest thing to a fucking jedi that this series has seen).
So Michonne finally arrives at the prison and immediately saves dumbass Otis from certain death. She's also toting two zombie repelling dead pets that she promptly disposes of once she realizes that she's finally safe.
Here they are again, you know, in case you missed them the first time...
(FYI: Those "pets" are her boyfriend and his best friend)
So right away we know that this is a woman who can take care of herself. She's been out there, on her own, surviving for who knows how long. She is capable. She is strong. She is a surviver.
Oh no wait, scratch that. She's just some dumb, brainless chick who blows Tyreese in the gym (her idea, btw) after knowing him for about sixty seconds. Even though he obviously has a girlfriend. Because reasons.
Then when Tyreese confronts her about it later (and oh, tries to blame her for for his actions, btw - but that's a rant that I don't even think I have enough room for), she disparages his girlfriend by asking him what he's doing with a skinny white chick anyway.
Yeah, sure. There are only like 15 people living together in this prison and the first thing this zombie killing badass is going to do is cause a shit ton of problems by stealing someone else's man, because sex and men are all this independent woman can think about. Yes, please, set us up with a killer character and then immediately reduce her to a vapid bitch.
Yeah, TV Michonne is done with your bullshit too.
(Whoever runs that television adaptation made some really good decisions when it comes to the female characters.)
CAROL
Ok, so TV Carol is waaaay different from her comic book counterpart. And that is a fucking phenomenal thing.
In the comics, we don't have Eddie (or Ed, I can't remember that fuckwit's name) - her sick and abusive bastard of a husband. Even though Eddie bites it early on (to the cheers of all who watched), what we see Carol go through before and after is nothing short of a beautiful and awesome transformation that I have loved watching.
In the comics, Carol does have a daughter, Sophia, but she lost her husband before we meet her. And I don't get the idea that he was abusive (unless I missed something). She takes up with Tyreese pretty quickly after they all meet. (Like, super quickly).
Once Michonne shows up and begins a flirtation with her man, Carol gets all clingy and possessive. Then she witnesses their, ahem, "interaction" in the gym. After which, Carol is so distraught, that she slits her wrists.
Yes, can we all just please laugh at this? I know I did. You have survived the zombie apocalypse and have now reached a haven of relative safety for the first time in about a year, but your boyfriend of half-a-second has been unfaithful. And THAT, as we all know, is a perfectly legit reason to commit suicide.
Never mind the fact that she has a FUCKING DAUGHTER. Mothers are strong. It would take a lot more than some douche sticking his dick someplace it doesn't belong to make a woman kill herself and leave her child helpless and alone.
But Carol isn't the most stable human being on Planet Walking Dead. In the last issue, Tyreese went temporarily nuts after his daughter committed suicide and Carol, distraught with worry, kissed Lori. Because reasons.
After Carol recovers and kicks Tyreese to the curb, she then kisses Rick BECAUSE FUCKING REASONS.
I haven't yet discussed how there are virtually NO FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS in this series, but Lori and Carol are actually friends. And Carol betrays her only living friend by coming onto her husband.
Because of course she does. Of course she does.
Yeah, TV Carol (Scarol) is done with your bullshit too.
LORI
I personally think Lori is annoying in both novel and tv form. So, I'm just gonna leave it at that.
Just my opinion.
ANDREA
Always with Dale. Doesn't socialize with the other women. Confrontational with Michonne for no reason at all.
Because women aren't capable of friendship.
MAGGIE
Always with Glenn. Doesn't socialize with the other women. Doesn't seem to have any kind of job or way of contributing within the community. Only cares about when and where she and Glenn will do it next.
TV Maggie is done with your bullshit.
THE COMMITTEE
This isn't technically a female character but it deserves merit in this review because of the complete and utter lack of female characters present on it.
So basically Rick goes bat shit crazy. As he tends to do. He kills people. Becomes confrontational. Gets the shit kicked out of him and wakes up 26 hours later. Dale has been elected to give him the news. He's no longer in charge. Instead, the group has elected a four person committee who will make decisions together.
Rick takes this surprisingly well. He asks who the members of the committee are.
Dale tells him.
Here is a condensed version of that convo:
Dale: The committee is You, me, Herchel, and Tyreese.
Rick: What, no women?
Dale: No.
Rick: Seriously? Because, I think that they'd want at least one member on the committee.
Dale: No, Rick. We all voted. And ALL SEVEN OF THEM voted to have just men on the committee. I think they just want us to be in charge and, you know, protect them. That's all they really care about.
Rick: For reals?
Dale: Well, I mean, some of them did want Lori on the committee, but she declined, so we didn't push it. It's better this way.
Rick: Okey-dokey.
*End Transcript*
Yeah, right. I'm pretty sure if they tried to pull this shit in TV land, it would have ended up something like this...
Now ride this eyeroll gif train to the end.
So yeah, to say I was disappointed in this installment is putting it mildly. It gives me a deeper appreciation for the show and what a great job they've done there.
Of course I'm continuing the series. I've already bought all of the volumes. Here's hoping it gets better.
But it left me with a lot of bad feels. And I'll leave you with a few of them.
May 9, 2019
Honestly this volume just made me needlessly sad. Naturally I expected death. One death was justified and I was glad for it. The other death was sad, but it was pretty much background noise. I really didn't like how the breakup happened. I guess I just expected more from him than that. However, I did like the drama that unfolded once Rick found out. I still abhor Rick's wife. I haven't hated a character this much in a long time. Glenn and the girl he's with just come off as kind of weird to me. Something's off but I can't figure out what. As a reader, I would've liked a little background on Michonne, but I'm guessing we'll get it in future volumes. So my least favorite volume so far but only because I don't like the path the story took. Hopefully the next is better.
August 24, 2019
More trouble at the prison, and the introduction of Michonne with her zombie boyfriend and best friend keeps this from getting stale. With semi stable surroundings, the narrative is free to flourish, with a number of social crises that lead to some very dodgy moral reasonings.
Can the group retain their humanity in a world that threatens their very existence? At what cost do you turn to in order to protect your family? I like the ideas thrown around here, and can see this social exploration taking a deeper turn as the group spends more time in the prison surroundings.
Can the group retain their humanity in a world that threatens their very existence? At what cost do you turn to in order to protect your family? I like the ideas thrown around here, and can see this social exploration taking a deeper turn as the group spends more time in the prison surroundings.
December 21, 2015
"WE ARE THE WALKING DEAD". Another great volume of TWD comics. This volume focuses on morality and how the group are going to have to adapt if they want to survive. What's right? What's wrong? You can stay "humane" and get munched on or you can kill and survive. I really liked it. Everyone is fighting and it's great. I'm so obsessed with this story! I might start watching the TV show even though I know they're different and I also know lots of spoilers for the show! The shit hits the fan numerous times in every volume and I don't know how much more shit the group (or I) can take!!! I love the artwork and again, I adore the covers by Tony Moore. The covers really raise the comics standard that little bit more. (I know I've said this in every review I've done but I'm going to keep saying it - I wish this comic was in colour!). I'm excited to see what happens next in the comic. I really recommend these comics, they're brilliant!
February 23, 2023
I struggled with this volume a lot. There were definitely some choices made that are indicative of earlier comics. It was extremely uncomfortable for me to read characters utilizing racial slurs as well as slurs towards those that have disabilities. There appears to be some underlying racism that could be utilized as a personality trait to move the plot forward and I didn't like that. It doesn't help that part of the framework of this story depends on Black characters being treated differently. For example, when we meet a new character who is a Black woman she is automatically placed into a situation where she's emotionally harming a White woman who then attempts to commit suicide. Even though it may not have been the intention of Kirkman, I do think that it is a choice of plot development that doesn't necessarily hold up in 2023. For all intents and purposes, this is an interesting comic because it focuses so strongly on character development, but it was one aspect of this particular volume that I couldn't look over. It was intriguing to watch the characters attempt to navigate this new normal especially since they are forced to depend upon each other for survival. The pressure definitely becomes consuming in these issues and readers will see the strength/courage that Rick had in previous volumes begin to crack. Everyone begins to lose and question the humanity that they had before these events. With all of that being said, I'm really enjoying the artwork and most of the character development; however, I am still struggling with the underhanded harmful content that does exist in the series. I'm going to continue to the next volume, but I'm weary because of the current representation that readers see in these earlier volumes.
January 19, 2014
These are so bad, yet I can't stop reading them. I guess I'm just curious to see the plot differences between this and the TV series (the TV show is far superior to the comic).
This volume was equally ridiculous as the last two.
The writing is really terrible. It's misogynistic as hell: all the women characters are portrayed as sex-crazed harpies, they also need to be protected by the men and leave all the decisions to the men because their crazy hormones would ruin everything, right? (how old is the writer again?), no one has no integrity at all, and it's getting worse in every volume.
Will this continue to go downhill? We'll find out in the next volume.
January 19, 2015
The Walking Dead Volume 4: Days of Our Undead Lives.
I was excited at the start of this. Michonne is here, there is a confrontation between the prisoners and the gang. All is set for a great storyline.
But what you get is drama, drama, drama. Who's sleeping with who and who blames who for someone death. And Rick's breakdown. Well the first one from memory. But I guess the cover does warn us by depicting a kiss. Everyone is on edge and having a mental breakdown. Probably not surprising given the circumstances.
In the background Hershell is making a garden. And Andrea is becoming a seamstress. Yes there are some sensible people here.
So a low point in the series, but I'm still too invested to stop now. Looking forward to Michonne kicking ass.
I was excited at the start of this. Michonne is here, there is a confrontation between the prisoners and the gang. All is set for a great storyline.
But what you get is drama, drama, drama. Who's sleeping with who and who blames who for someone death. And Rick's breakdown. Well the first one from memory. But I guess the cover does warn us by depicting a kiss. Everyone is on edge and having a mental breakdown. Probably not surprising given the circumstances.
In the background Hershell is making a garden. And Andrea is becoming a seamstress. Yes there are some sensible people here.
So a low point in the series, but I'm still too invested to stop now. Looking forward to Michonne kicking ass.
March 24, 2023
No ha estado mal, siguen en la cárcel y aparece un personaje que se va a unir al grupo que va a ser muy importante Michonne.
Vemos como la convivencia es pacífica y se van amoldando a la cárcel pero surgen también rencillas, entre viejos amigos.
Valoración:6/10
Sinopsis: la vida en la prisión empieza a ser interesante para Rick Grimes y el resto de supervivientes. Las relaciones se calientan, se enfrían, cambian radicalmente de la noche a la mañana...Al final de este volumen, las relaciones entre los principales personajes se transforman de golpe.
Vemos como la convivencia es pacífica y se van amoldando a la cárcel pero surgen también rencillas, entre viejos amigos.
Valoración:6/10
Sinopsis: la vida en la prisión empieza a ser interesante para Rick Grimes y el resto de supervivientes. Las relaciones se calientan, se enfrían, cambian radicalmente de la noche a la mañana...Al final de este volumen, las relaciones entre los principales personajes se transforman de golpe.
December 2, 2015
Okay so this is easily my least favorite volume out of the four I've read so far. I was really excited when I saw Michonne finally get introduced, as she's one of my favorite character in the show, but her character is a total bitch in the comics and I hate that. I hate how all of the women are portrayed in these comics, but specifically in this volume, it's really bad.
SPOILERS BELOW
This particular volume is full of nothing but drama. And not even the good kind of drama, but the stupid love triangle romantic bull shit drama. Michonne decides to swoop in there with Tyreese even though he's with Carol and she gives him a blow job and carol sees through the window and decides to go slit her wrists. Like what the fuck? Carol is so weak in these comics it drives me insane. Especially knowing how badass she is in he show. Then Tyreese later finds out about Carol and gets all mad at Michonne for "tempting him" like bitch, it takes two to tango. Michonne then acts like a bitch to everyone including Andrea when she gets caught talking to herself in her cell. When Rick catches Tyreese cheating on Carol with Michonne he freaks the fuck out even though it's really none of his business and they get into a physical fight over it and start beating the shit out of each other. It's fucking stupid. They literally almost kill each other over this shit and Rick goes unconscious for twenty six hours. If that isn't ridiculous enough, then when Rick finally wakes up, Carol tries to make a move on him and she kisses him even though he's still with Lori. Like what the fuck is all of this random shit? I hate seeing all these characters I love in the show act so idiotic and ridiculous in these comics. Then they decide Rick won't be the leader anymore but instead they'll have a committee full of men, no women. In fact, the women don't even want to be a part of it because they'd feel safer with the men in charge. How sexist is that?
The one thing I did enjoy was when Allen got bit and Rick decided right at that moment to cut his leg off so he wouldn't die, just like he did with Hershel in the show. But then I felt bad because the group got all pissed at Rick and Allen ended up dying anyway. I also loved seeing Sophia and Carl as I've said before they are my new OTP and they are just so cute. I look forward to their adorable scenes together. And, the greatest thing that happens in this volume, is Rick saying the famous line: "We ARE the Walking Dead!" Hands down, best part of this volume.
SPOILERS BELOW
This particular volume is full of nothing but drama. And not even the good kind of drama, but the stupid love triangle romantic bull shit drama. Michonne decides to swoop in there with Tyreese even though he's with Carol and she gives him a blow job and carol sees through the window and decides to go slit her wrists. Like what the fuck? Carol is so weak in these comics it drives me insane. Especially knowing how badass she is in he show. Then Tyreese later finds out about Carol and gets all mad at Michonne for "tempting him" like bitch, it takes two to tango. Michonne then acts like a bitch to everyone including Andrea when she gets caught talking to herself in her cell. When Rick catches Tyreese cheating on Carol with Michonne he freaks the fuck out even though it's really none of his business and they get into a physical fight over it and start beating the shit out of each other. It's fucking stupid. They literally almost kill each other over this shit and Rick goes unconscious for twenty six hours. If that isn't ridiculous enough, then when Rick finally wakes up, Carol tries to make a move on him and she kisses him even though he's still with Lori. Like what the fuck is all of this random shit? I hate seeing all these characters I love in the show act so idiotic and ridiculous in these comics. Then they decide Rick won't be the leader anymore but instead they'll have a committee full of men, no women. In fact, the women don't even want to be a part of it because they'd feel safer with the men in charge. How sexist is that?
The one thing I did enjoy was when Allen got bit and Rick decided right at that moment to cut his leg off so he wouldn't die, just like he did with Hershel in the show. But then I felt bad because the group got all pissed at Rick and Allen ended up dying anyway. I also loved seeing Sophia and Carl as I've said before they are my new OTP and they are just so cute. I look forward to their adorable scenes together. And, the greatest thing that happens in this volume, is Rick saying the famous line: "We ARE the Walking Dead!" Hands down, best part of this volume.
January 4, 2016
Well. That was brutal. And grim. The times... they are a-changin'!
Still so great though. I am really loving this series, especially the artwork. There were panels in this volume that show Tyreese in such detail, and I love how intricate the drawings are. The fact that you can see the way his right ear folds down just a tiny bit at the top is so impressive to me. Or how you can tell so much about how Lori is feeling just by her facial expressions - she doesn't have to say a word.
I love that these characters are real and identifiable and that they still do stupid things even though they have been in this world of the walking dead for nearly a year and you'd think they'd know how to survive in it... and with each other... But people are still people, and we're nothing if not idiots most of the time.
Still so great though. I am really loving this series, especially the artwork. There were panels in this volume that show Tyreese in such detail, and I love how intricate the drawings are. The fact that you can see the way his right ear folds down just a tiny bit at the top is so impressive to me. Or how you can tell so much about how Lori is feeling just by her facial expressions - she doesn't have to say a word.
I love that these characters are real and identifiable and that they still do stupid things even though they have been in this world of the walking dead for nearly a year and you'd think they'd know how to survive in it... and with each other... But people are still people, and we're nothing if not idiots most of the time.
December 20, 2015
I don't like this stuff for the zombies and all the different ways to kill them. What keeps me reading and occasionally watching is the human aspect of it. When everything changes so dramatically, what is right and wrong? Is killing someone wrong if it's justified? Who's in charge of making the decisions? Who makes the law? What are the consequences for breaking the law?
A lot of those questions are out there and the group is trying to find answers, but many of them are becoming unhinged. There are attempts to make rules that backfire and their form of government is challenged.
Looks like we are moving to a committee approach to making final decisions. My guess is that if it is going to work there wouldn't be so many of these books left to read.
A lot of those questions are out there and the group is trying to find answers, but many of them are becoming unhinged. There are attempts to make rules that backfire and their form of government is challenged.
Looks like we are moving to a committee approach to making final decisions. My guess is that if it is going to work there wouldn't be so many of these books left to read.
April 5, 2016
I'm really starting to enjoy this series.
July 9, 2021
If this didn’t have zombies in it, I doubt I would read it. It’s very soap opera + zombies with everyone hooking up, cheating on each other, and fighting about it. (Don’t… don’t you have better things to worry about in an apocalypse?) There isn’t a lot of genuine plot in this volume as the characters scramble for power inside the prison and come to terms with the fact that probably nobody is coming to save them. I feel like the zombie art kicks up a notch though, and there are some very cool panels of the attacks in this volume.
I’m not fond of Michonne’s introduction as a homewrecker instead of the total badass she is on the show. The rest of the characters are numerous and difficult to keep track of, as many of the men look alike. I’m constantly mixing up Rick, Hershel, and (I think) Otis because they all look like the same rugged white guy. I do enjoy graphic novel Rick more than television show Rick. He’s more nuanced and less the grating white knight, and he has the best character development in these first couple volumes. (A bit heavy-handed at the end, but what can you do.) I’d like to stick with the series at least until Negan shows up, since I hear he’s the best villain, but we’ll see if I make it that far.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
I’m not fond of Michonne’s introduction as a homewrecker instead of the total badass she is on the show. The rest of the characters are numerous and difficult to keep track of, as many of the men look alike. I’m constantly mixing up Rick, Hershel, and (I think) Otis because they all look like the same rugged white guy. I do enjoy graphic novel Rick more than television show Rick. He’s more nuanced and less the grating white knight, and he has the best character development in these first couple volumes. (A bit heavy-handed at the end, but what can you do.) I’d like to stick with the series at least until Negan shows up, since I hear he’s the best villain, but we’ll see if I make it that far.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
August 26, 2022
La historia se está estancando. Independientemente de que sí que se esté jugando con ciertos conflictos morales, la acción se ha reducido notablemente respecto a los cómics anteriores. Y he visto atisbos de machismo que no me han hecho ninguna gracia. A pesar de todo, admito que la lectura es amena y que sí que es fácil pasar las páginas con ganas.
Aquí continuamos viendo al grupo viviendo en la prisión e intentado crear un buen refugio en ella. Hay que seguir explorando y limpiando las diferentes áreas, pero también hay que luchar por conseguir una convivencia pacífica, algo más complicado de lo que parece.
Asimismo, el liderazgo de Rick comienza a tambalearse cada vez más. Sin embargo, creo que con él se están cometiendo varias injusticias. Se da a entender que su personaje ha perdido la razón y, aunque es verdad que ya no está tan calmado como al principio y que actúa por impulso, yo por lo menos creo que sus acciones tienen una razón de ser. Que sí, que puede que a veces sea salvaje y todo eso, pero yo no considero que haya hecho nada increíblemente imperdonable. Digamos simplemente que Rick está evolucionando acorde a las circunstancias y que, desde mi punto de vista, los demás quieren ir de santurrones y tienen pocas variaciones en su comportamiento. Rick es uno de los pilares de la historia y creo que eso es indiscutible.
De la trama no hay mucho que comentar. Se han dado nuevas muertes y ha habido algún que otro sobresalto, pero lo más llamativo ha sido la introducción de un nuevo personaje (que no ha dado mucho de sí en su presentación) y un enfrentamiento final que ha sido un poco forzado. Lees queriendo ver qué va a pasar, pero cuando haces balance final, pues te das cuenta de que tampoco ha ocurrido nada muy destacable.
Respecto al tema del machismo, no es coherente que tengamos a personajes de carácter fuerte como Andrea, inconformistas como Maggie o quejicas como Lori, y que luego resulte que se diga que ellas ceden las decisiones a los hombres porque es más cómodo y ya está. Vamos, que se las deja como puñeteros floreros en un momento concreto y eso es algo que no tiene ninguna lógica si tenemos en cuenta la participación activa que todas tienen en la lucha. Quiero pensar que fue un fallo de guión y que no se volverán a dar situaciones tan absurdas.
Sea como sea, esta saga sigue valiendo la pena a pesar de sus altibajos. Además, lo que sí que he notado es que en este volumen se percibió un poquito mejor el presunto propósito de la historia: que te des cuenta de que en una situación límite es cuando realmente valorarías tu capacidad de luchar y la tranquilidad en la que te sumerge la rutina.
No es un cómic maravilloso ni memorable, es sencillamente aceptable. Y sigue manteniendo el interés suficiente de cara a que quieras continuar con los siguientes.
Aquí continuamos viendo al grupo viviendo en la prisión e intentado crear un buen refugio en ella. Hay que seguir explorando y limpiando las diferentes áreas, pero también hay que luchar por conseguir una convivencia pacífica, algo más complicado de lo que parece.
Asimismo, el liderazgo de Rick comienza a tambalearse cada vez más. Sin embargo, creo que con él se están cometiendo varias injusticias. Se da a entender que su personaje ha perdido la razón y, aunque es verdad que ya no está tan calmado como al principio y que actúa por impulso, yo por lo menos creo que sus acciones tienen una razón de ser. Que sí, que puede que a veces sea salvaje y todo eso, pero yo no considero que haya hecho nada increíblemente imperdonable. Digamos simplemente que Rick está evolucionando acorde a las circunstancias y que, desde mi punto de vista, los demás quieren ir de santurrones y tienen pocas variaciones en su comportamiento. Rick es uno de los pilares de la historia y creo que eso es indiscutible.
De la trama no hay mucho que comentar. Se han dado nuevas muertes y ha habido algún que otro sobresalto, pero lo más llamativo ha sido la introducción de un nuevo personaje (que no ha dado mucho de sí en su presentación) y un enfrentamiento final que ha sido un poco forzado. Lees queriendo ver qué va a pasar, pero cuando haces balance final, pues te das cuenta de que tampoco ha ocurrido nada muy destacable.
Respecto al tema del machismo, no es coherente que tengamos a personajes de carácter fuerte como Andrea, inconformistas como Maggie o quejicas como Lori, y que luego resulte que se diga que ellas ceden las decisiones a los hombres porque es más cómodo y ya está. Vamos, que se las deja como puñeteros floreros en un momento concreto y eso es algo que no tiene ninguna lógica si tenemos en cuenta la participación activa que todas tienen en la lucha. Quiero pensar que fue un fallo de guión y que no se volverán a dar situaciones tan absurdas.
Sea como sea, esta saga sigue valiendo la pena a pesar de sus altibajos. Además, lo que sí que he notado es que en este volumen se percibió un poquito mejor el presunto propósito de la historia: que te des cuenta de que en una situación límite es cuando realmente valorarías tu capacidad de luchar y la tranquilidad en la que te sumerge la rutina.
No es un cómic maravilloso ni memorable, es sencillamente aceptable. Y sigue manteniendo el interés suficiente de cara a que quieras continuar con los siguientes.
February 25, 2020
We are still in prison...
Finally Michonne has arrived on the scene...
And what a bitch she is!
The fight between Rick and Tyreese is quite something! Well done, how their emotions careen so far out of any reasonable frame of reference and they loose it so completely. What makes a murderer, is there such a thing as a justified murder? Is there even any such thing?
I like the black and white, but I am still mourning the artwork of the first volume. I am often underwhelmed by a lot of frames and the sketches in general. Every now and then there is something pretty nice that makes me wonder if the messy sketching is done on purpose.
A bit too much talking and text to plow through at times. Which I guess is what this is all about, zombies or not. Relationships, how they all interact with each other, what drives them, how they deal with the mess that is their life. The zombies are almost irrelevant background noise.
Very strong ending with a great speech and shocking, revelatory parting line. Five stars for this, despite my grievances regarding the artwork.
Finally Michonne has arrived on the scene...
And what a bitch she is!
The fight between Rick and Tyreese is quite something! Well done, how their emotions careen so far out of any reasonable frame of reference and they loose it so completely. What makes a murderer, is there such a thing as a justified murder? Is there even any such thing?
I like the black and white, but I am still mourning the artwork of the first volume. I am often underwhelmed by a lot of frames and the sketches in general. Every now and then there is something pretty nice that makes me wonder if the messy sketching is done on purpose.
A bit too much talking and text to plow through at times. Which I guess is what this is all about, zombies or not. Relationships, how they all interact with each other, what drives them, how they deal with the mess that is their life. The zombies are almost irrelevant background noise.
Very strong ending with a great speech and shocking, revelatory parting line. Five stars for this, despite my grievances regarding the artwork.
May 18, 2020
4.5 stars
Michonne arrives. Enough said.
The story becomes truly soap operatic with more hook-ups, break-ups, and punch-ups. The bromance between Rick and Tyreese seems to have some to an end with a no-holds barred, bare-knuckle beat down.
Carol is such a loser in the comic compared to the total badass she is in the show. Oh well, she's still got time to change...or get killed.
Michonne arrives. Enough said.
The story becomes truly soap operatic with more hook-ups, break-ups, and punch-ups. The bromance between Rick and Tyreese seems to have some to an end with a no-holds barred, bare-knuckle beat down.
Carol is such a loser in the comic compared to the total badass she is in the show. Oh well, she's still got time to change...or get killed.
April 27, 2014
The subtitle to The Walking Dead should be: A Post-Apocalyptic Soap Opera as the series veers away from depressing horror to hokey melodrama in this fourth volume, appropriately titled The Heart’s Desire, as if it were an episode of Melrose Place!
The cliffhanger of the last volume is dealt with in no time at all, as if that entire last volume’s conflicts didn’t matter at all, and a new character called Michonne appears, while another character dies, and a lot of relationship stuff happens.
I’ve mentioned in previous reviews how damn dark this series is, and it still is, but it’s become almost comical now, like Robert Kirkman’s parodying himself. When a character gets bitten and Rick decides to amputate his leg to save his life, the scene cuts to Carl and Sophia staring at the wall of zombies outside the gates and musing as to their mindsets, then the character is rushed by them screaming, and then we cut back to Carl and Sophia’s shocked reactions - and I couldn’t help but laugh! It’s so silly, it’s like something out of Chew!
Then nothing horrible happens for a few pages and I began to think, right, something awful’s going to happen - a character will die suddenly or will do something bad - and what happens? An attempted suicide! Again, I laughed at the predictably “sad” style of storytelling. Of course someone would slit their wrists - you can’t go too long in The Walking Dead without despair!
But most of the book is focused on the characters’ relationships. There’s some more pointless “love” scenes between Glenn and Maggie, Dale and… uh, the blonde lady (it’s hard to remember which two-dimensional figure is which), and Tyreese and Carol split up. It’s not an unreadable book but at this point I think the series needs a real story, some kind of driving force other than the ever present threat of zombies - so far it’s just characters getting worked up over their dull relationships while exploring the even drearier prison with obligatory zombies popping up out of the shadows every now and then.
I was going to give Kirkman a pass on the writing in this book but he ends this volume in the dumbest way possible: a two page spread of a close up on Rick’s face as he grimly asserts: “We ARE The Walking Dead!” which made me laugh again. Really? Hadn’t everyone already figured that out from the first volume? And the pseudo-intellectual discussion on the righteousness of killing certain people was a bit blunt metaphorically given that the characters are all wearing orange jumpsuits and sleep in cells. Real subtle, Mr Kirkman!
The downside of this volume is that nothing really much happens but the upside is that it’s a pretty funny book in a gallows-humour kinda way!
The cliffhanger of the last volume is dealt with in no time at all, as if that entire last volume’s conflicts didn’t matter at all, and a new character called Michonne appears, while another character dies, and a lot of relationship stuff happens.
I’ve mentioned in previous reviews how damn dark this series is, and it still is, but it’s become almost comical now, like Robert Kirkman’s parodying himself. When a character gets bitten and Rick decides to amputate his leg to save his life, the scene cuts to Carl and Sophia staring at the wall of zombies outside the gates and musing as to their mindsets, then the character is rushed by them screaming, and then we cut back to Carl and Sophia’s shocked reactions - and I couldn’t help but laugh! It’s so silly, it’s like something out of Chew!
Then nothing horrible happens for a few pages and I began to think, right, something awful’s going to happen - a character will die suddenly or will do something bad - and what happens? An attempted suicide! Again, I laughed at the predictably “sad” style of storytelling. Of course someone would slit their wrists - you can’t go too long in The Walking Dead without despair!
But most of the book is focused on the characters’ relationships. There’s some more pointless “love” scenes between Glenn and Maggie, Dale and… uh, the blonde lady (it’s hard to remember which two-dimensional figure is which), and Tyreese and Carol split up. It’s not an unreadable book but at this point I think the series needs a real story, some kind of driving force other than the ever present threat of zombies - so far it’s just characters getting worked up over their dull relationships while exploring the even drearier prison with obligatory zombies popping up out of the shadows every now and then.
I was going to give Kirkman a pass on the writing in this book but he ends this volume in the dumbest way possible: a two page spread of a close up on Rick’s face as he grimly asserts: “We ARE The Walking Dead!” which made me laugh again. Really? Hadn’t everyone already figured that out from the first volume? And the pseudo-intellectual discussion on the righteousness of killing certain people was a bit blunt metaphorically given that the characters are all wearing orange jumpsuits and sleep in cells. Real subtle, Mr Kirkman!
The downside of this volume is that nothing really much happens but the upside is that it’s a pretty funny book in a gallows-humour kinda way!
November 20, 2011
Trouble hits the new "sanctuary" AKA the prison our group has taken over. 2 of the 3 original surviving prisoners attempt to take over the prison and leave a gate to cell block A open. Zombies attack and in the process of taking out the zombies Rick kills one of the prisoners who was trying to take over. Tyreese cheats on Carol with a newcomer throwing Rick into a crazy rage, both air the skeletons in their closet to the public and get in a fist fight, Rick losing. The group loses trust in Rick and decides to go to a committee system of leadership, and Rick doesn't understand why nobody sees things his way or how dire their situation really is.
I enjoyed this volume. It boiled down to an everyone vs. Rick sort of model which I hope the volumes going forward steer away from, I mean it was good to see the leadership role put to question and to see how the stress level of being the leader in charge of survival was taking its toll on Rick, but it can't continue along this path without losing my interest. Also I like that the artwork has improved a little from the last volume, its a little bit easier to differentiate who is who; however, I still find myself every now and then looking in the back of a frame saying, "Wait, who is that? Or is that somebody I know but because he is in the back he got the slipshod artwork for this frame? Or is he just a nobody?"
I enjoyed this volume. It boiled down to an everyone vs. Rick sort of model which I hope the volumes going forward steer away from, I mean it was good to see the leadership role put to question and to see how the stress level of being the leader in charge of survival was taking its toll on Rick, but it can't continue along this path without losing my interest. Also I like that the artwork has improved a little from the last volume, its a little bit easier to differentiate who is who; however, I still find myself every now and then looking in the back of a frame saying, "Wait, who is that? Or is that somebody I know but because he is in the back he got the slipshod artwork for this frame? Or is he just a nobody?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2013
0 stars.
Would anyone care to explain me why these comics are so popular? Why do people like The Walking Dead so much? Why??? I've never seen so many flat and horrible characters together. None of the characters in the comics so far has any redeeming qualities. They are all fucked-up, selfish, shallow and stupid human beings that you would try to avoid at all costs in real life. All they do is fight over trivial things, almost every day someone is committing suicide for no goddamn reason or killing one another or cheating on their boyfriends/girlfriends/husbands/wives, etc. Pages and pages of stupid bullshit. If i hadn't known better, I'd have said The Walking Dead is popular because people like to read about zombies. But the zombies here are not scary in the least. They are slow, even more stupid than the characters if that is even possible.
Look at those guys, oh how scary, i just wet my pants!!!
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Ugh.
Would anyone care to explain me why these comics are so popular? Why do people like The Walking Dead so much? Why??? I've never seen so many flat and horrible characters together. None of the characters in the comics so far has any redeeming qualities. They are all fucked-up, selfish, shallow and stupid human beings that you would try to avoid at all costs in real life. All they do is fight over trivial things, almost every day someone is committing suicide for no goddamn reason or killing one another or cheating on their boyfriends/girlfriends/husbands/wives, etc. Pages and pages of stupid bullshit. If i hadn't known better, I'd have said The Walking Dead is popular because people like to read about zombies. But the zombies here are not scary in the least. They are slow, even more stupid than the characters if that is even possible.
Look at those guys, oh how scary, i just wet my pants!!!
Ugh.
March 22, 2016
"WE ARE THE WALKING DEAD " that's was this volume about , this volume was okay i guess
i loved that finally Michonne appeared in the comics but i really i didn't loved her so much in the comics coz they made her really B**** but she is still my fav character after Daryl and carol in the show of course xD .
anyway this comics talks about how disaster like this can make us be savages and lose our humanity but thats how the world nw so u have to deal with it but don't be too insane plz :D :P
August 13, 2012
(Some spoilers) This particular volume frustrated me a little. I've really been enjoying Rick's "descent into madness", but found it a little forced - happening for the sake of it happening, rather than letting the character fall there at his own pace. I can understand if people disagree with this, it's just a personal feeling.
Michonne, however, really annoyed me. I've been looking forward to her appearance since day one, as friends of mine who read the series wax lyrical on how wonderful/bad-ass she is. Her entrance was promising, but then as soon as she was inside the prison walls her character became boring and needlessly antagonistic in equal terms. If she is so glad to be there, why risk screwing things up by sleeping with Tyreese?
That being said, among all the unexpected deaths and promiscuity, there were still mostly good points that I enjoyed reading. The series is continuing on a fairly high note, and I am definitely looking forward to the next chapter.
Michonne, however, really annoyed me. I've been looking forward to her appearance since day one, as friends of mine who read the series wax lyrical on how wonderful/bad-ass she is. Her entrance was promising, but then as soon as she was inside the prison walls her character became boring and needlessly antagonistic in equal terms. If she is so glad to be there, why risk screwing things up by sleeping with Tyreese?
That being said, among all the unexpected deaths and promiscuity, there were still mostly good points that I enjoyed reading. The series is continuing on a fairly high note, and I am definitely looking forward to the next chapter.
June 28, 2016
Esta historia es la que hasta ahora más me ha gustado. Comienza a sentirse realmente el conflicto psicologico de todos los personajes, como les ha afectado la certeza de que no hay ninguna esperanza pero HAY DEMASIADO DRAMA, a veces siento que estoy leyendo más una novela "aderezada" con zombies, que la historia de como sobrevive en grupo.
Por alguna razón no logra atraparme. :(
Por alguna razón no logra atraparme. :(
August 9, 2019
Definitely an improvement over the previous volumes, The Heart’s Desire changes the dynamic of the survivors significantly. Affairs, more deaths and the breakdown of friendships brings more tension to the story. There’s less obvious influence of other zombie works as The Walking Dead is starting to find its own voice.
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